Broccoli with Black Bean-Garlic Sauce

Description:

The bold taste of black bean-garlic sauce mellows into a rich and warming glaze in this fast Asian-style dish.

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon sesame seeds

1/2 cup water, divided

1 teaspoon rice-wine vinegar, or white-wine vinegar

1 teaspoon cornstarch

2 teaspoons black bean-garlic sauce, (see Ingredient note)

2 teaspoons canola oil

1 clove garlic, minced

4 cups broccoli florets

Preparation:

1

Toast sesame seeds in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until lightly browned and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool.

2

Mix 1/4 cup water, vinegar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Add black bean sauce and stir until smooth.

3

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet or stir-fry pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add broccoli and stir to coat. Add the remaining 1/4 cup water; cover and steam just until the broccoli is tender-crisp, 1 to 3 minutes. Push broccoli to the sides and pour the sauce mixture in the center. Stir until the sauce begins to thicken, about 1 minute. Stir in the broccoli to coat. Serve immediately, sprinkled with the sesame seeds.

Tips:

Ingredient Note: Black bean-garlic sauce, made from pureed salted and fermented black soybeans, is a widely used condiment in Chinese cooking and can be found with the Asian food in most supermarkets.